I have been doing some research on an Illinois Bunn Special watch that I inherited from my Great Grandpa. He worked for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&ORR) as a Trainmaster and used this watch on the job. It has been sitting in a safe deposit box since about 1971 when he passed. I took the included pictures before I dropped it off for servicing. There was no movement after winding it a few turns. It looks “clean” inside so hopefully it can be brought to life.

I spent a few hours trying to educate myself on the options, years, and features.
It is a 60 hour, 21 jewel, Bunn Special 161.
Using this IHC thread
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...1029912/m/3223913197 , I believe I have a type II since it has “sixty hour” on the barrel bridge, nothing above the big “Bunn Special”, and no sign of the word Elinvar.
I then found this IHC thread https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...1029912/m/5301099323 which made me question my conclusion of it being a type 2 movement.

Since there is no “Co.” after Illinois Watch it looks like it was made after Hamilton bought Illinois…... so after 1928. Based on the serial # 5284930 this website http://www.pocketwatchrepair.c...tories/illinois.html indicates it was made around 1929 through 1930. Not sure if my Great Grandpa bought it new, used, or if it was provided by B&O.
I appreciate any input about it (how collectors classify the watch or any interesting tidbits of information about it).

Thanks,
Matt

Movement

Case. Looks like maybe it got dinged and then someone tapped it back out.

Matt Very nice 161 type 2 Bunn Special..For more info go to (pocketwatchdatabase.com)....Make sure you search under Illinois and put in serial number...We would love to have you join our group...Only $12 per year but a lot of great info on pocket watches...

Thanks for the reply Gary. I did more looking around on the net after posting and I came across that pocketwatchdatabase website. It had some good info. I also became an IHC forum member.
I'll post back when I get the watch back from the shop (about two weeks). I found a B&O business card for my Great Grandpa that I will post then. Looking forward to seeing her run.

Welcome to to group Matt...You have a very nice watch and should be a good runner when you get it back...We have some excellent watch repair people on this group if you should ever need any watch work in the future...Gary

Lindell, thanks for the very thorough and informative post.
I went back and forth trying to decide if the last two digits were 30 or 50. I can now see the "3" looks different than the leading "5".

There is a slight indentation on the shiny part of the back cover (opposite of the circular gouges) so I had assumed the back cover was hit against something and the inside gouges were done to knock the dent back out, but I see what you are saying about the three screws on the movement.

I see many of what I believe are service markings at the 6 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions (combinations of letters and numbers that appear to be from an engraving tool). The scratches to the left of the "gold filled" look like someone tried to cover up a game of tic tac toe with a "G" in the center square???



Good eye catching the Elgin seconds hand. After I read that, I googled Elgin pocket watch pictures and eventually found an Elgin with that same seconds hand.

Here is the front and back of my Great Grandpas business card. My Uncle tells me "ADAMS" is the old (depending on your reference I guess) Dayton telephone exchange.





Last, a picture of him (right) from the 1962-Washington Daily Times-Washington (he retired in 1964) IN-Caption stated: "O.M. “Si” Rink, popular, 68-year-old, B&O railroad conductor, made his last run Saturday when he pulled in here on Number 4. He is shown above with local B&O official L.W. Brenner standing along side eastbound Number 4 Saturday."



Knowing what I know now, I would have preferred to have it serviced by a pocket watch specialist from this forum, but the place I took it locally appears to have a lot of experience with old time pieces. I was told two weeks which should be any day now.

I got my watch back. They replaced the main spring (said they do that every time they do a full service) and cleaned and lubricated it. It is great to see it going again after probably about 50 years of inactivity. My great Grandpa passed in 1971 (I was born in 1969) so I doubt it was used after 71'.
I like to take the back off and watch the movement. It is mesmerizing to watch everything moving along and that tick....... music to the ears. I removed the gold chain that it came with and put on a leather strap. I won't wear it every day, but will use it often.
Thanks to everyone that responded and helped me figure out the details of the watch.
Matt